``It immediately came into his mind that if he did not stop the ghost, he would be killed by it,'' Cotsen said. The court heard Yau had sought medical help three years ago when he allegedly complained he was possessed by a ghost, but doctors allowed Yau back on active service with a gun.

Ancient lighthouse
PARIS: Alexandria's lighthouse, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, will be rebuilt on the same site in a 21st century version, the project's sponsors said. Fondation Internationale Pierre Cardin, run by the Frenchfashion designer, said on Monday that Alexandria authorities gave the green light to the 400-million-franc project which would be announced officially on Thursday. The 145-metre-tall lighthouse, made of glass-coated concrete, will reflect sunshine during the day and beam light 60 kms at night, the Cardin foundation said. ``It will herald the third millennium as Paris' Eiffel tower marked the beginning of the 20th century,'' it said. Alexandria's ancient ``pharos'' was reportedly equipped with a giant mirror to reflect light and guide ships. Built in 281 BC, it stood for 16 centuries and collapsed in an earthquake in 1349 AD. Underwater archaeologists located its ruins two years ago off the Egyptian port city's harbour.

`Witch' murder
THOHOYANDOU: South Africa's first summit aimed at curbing witchcraft-related deaths kicked off here on Monday. About 200 people, including police and government representatives, gathered in this town in the Northern Province, where witchcraft-related crime is mostfrequent. Police statistics showed that between April 1994 and February 1995, 97 women and 46 men were killed, accused of being witches or wizards. The Northern Province police minister said 18 suspected witches were killed in his province alone last year.

Lucky frog
ALCALA DE LA SELVA: The small Spanish town of Alacala de la Selva claims it has the answer to life's problems -- a rock formation that looks like a toad. Legend has it that anyone who touches the five metre by five metre formation three times under a full moon will change their luck. As a full moon rose over the town on Sunday night, about 1,000 pilgrims marched up the hill to touch the toad, said Mayor Benito Ros. He said the story has been around for a long time and was nearly forgotten. But now the toad legend has been dusted off and re-embraced as a tongue-in-cheek rival to the sexual potency drug -- viagra. ``Some people actually report experiencing fresh sexual vigor after touching the toad,'' the mayor said. Ros, 47, admittedthat he, too, touched the toad, but just for good luck. ``I have four children,'' he said. ``I don't need any more fertility.''